Conn. High School Football Players in Rape Case Gain Social Media Support, Igniting Debate

One of the key messages that needs addressing in these discussions is that nothing that happens online is private, said Stephanie Barksdale, executive director of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut, a community impact network that plans to assist in these conversations within the Torrington school district.

"We have several victims in the case," Barksdale said. "We have an unfortunate cyber bullying situation going on not just with the 13-year-olds being bullied, but now the people who were doing the bullying are being bullied."

"Lives can be hurt and lives can be ruined with what you post online," she said. "We need parents to be especially aware of what their kids are doing in an online setting."

"We need to further a definition so that the kids themselves understand," said Traub. "It doesn't matter what age you are, 13 is never OK."

Torrington High School Principal Joanne Creedon sent out a letter to the community to outline the steps being taken for the school district.

"Torrington High School is in the spotlight, but sadly for the wrong reasons -- allegations of violent criminal acts and subsequent cyber expressions of hurtful, irresponsible, and grossly insensitive remarks that reflect a total disregard for victim rights have flooded the media," Creedon wrote in a letter to students and parents.

"For everyone's sake, we need to get that spotlight on the good," Creedon said.